Information device, mobile device, and wearable information device

ABSTRACT

An information device makes a payment with a payment terminal through a contactless communication, using amount data of an electronic purse function of a mobile device. The mobile device with the electronic purse function permits the information device to be used for performing payment processing with the payment terminal, using amount data of the electronic purse function of the mobile device. A wearable information device includes an image taking unit configured to take an image of an object in the direction of line of vision of a user, and notifies the information device of the presence or absence of the information device in a taken image. The information device makes a payment with the payment terminal through a contactless communication based on the notification from the wearable information device of the presence or absence of the information device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2013-194442, filed on Sep. 19, 2013; andJapanese Patent Application No. 2014-075419, filed on Apr. 1, 2014, theentire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technique of using an electronicpurse function and to a technique of preventing skimming at usage of theelectronic purse function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are generally known mobile phones and smartphones (mobile devices)which are each equipped with an electronic purse function, store data ofan electronic purse, and make an electronic payment using proximitycontactless communication (hereinafter referred to as contactlesscommunication) such as NFC (Near Field Communication) with an automaticticket gate, for example, as a payment terminal (refer to JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-273528, for example).

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenPublication No. 2001-273528, a user of a mobile phone performscontactless communication between the mobile phone and an automaticticket gate when going out of a station through the automatic ticketgate, so that an electronic payment is made via the automatic ticketgate. At the payment, an amount for a fare is withdrawn from the data ofan electronic purse stored in the mobile phone.

Recently, smartphones have been rapidly diffused as replacements ofmobile phones, and accordingly, electronic payments are often made bycontactless communication using the electronic purse function of thesmartphones.

Further, with the recent popularization of the smartphones, attention isbeing focused on an information device in the shape of a watch(hereinafter referred to as a wrist information device) which operatesin cooperation with a smartphone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is providedan information device that includes: a first communication unitconfigured to perform communication with a mobile device having anelectronic purse function; a second communication unit configured toperform contactless communication with a payment terminal; and a paymentunit configured to perform payment processing with the payment terminalthrough a communication by the second communication unit, using amountdata of the electronic purse function of the mobile device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedan information device in a skimming prevention system, the skimmingprevention system including the information device, an image takingunit, and a wearable information device, the information device beingcapable of reading stored data through contactless communication, theimage taking unit being configured to take an image of an object in thedirection of line of vision of a user, and the wearable informationdevice performing communication with the information device with acommunication system different from the system of the contactlesscommunication, in which the wearable information device confirms thepresence or absence of the information device in an image taken by theimage taking unit, by image analysis based on device identifyinginformation used for identifying the information device registered inadvance and notifies the information device of the result of theconfirmation through a communication different from the contactlesscommunication, and the information device includes a transmittingprocessing unit configured to execute transmitting processing on thestored data by the contactless communication based on the result of theconfirmation of the information device received from the wearableinformation device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda mobile device equipped with an electronic purse function, thatincludes: a communication unit configured to perform communication withan information device; and a payment permission unit configured topermit, with the communication unit, the information device to be usedfor performing payment processing with a payment terminal, using amountdata of the electronic purse function of the mobile device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda wearable information device in a skimming prevention system, theskimming prevention system including the wearable information device andan information device, the information device being capable of readingstored data through contactless communication and the wearableinformation device performing communication with the information devicewith a communication system different from the system of the contactlesscommunication, in which the wearable information device includes: amemory unit configured to store device identifying information used foridentifying the information device registered in advance; an imagetaking unit configured to take an image of an object in the direction ofline of vision of a user; a confirmation unit configured to confirm thepresence or absence of the information device in an image taken by theimage taking unit, by image analysis based on the device identifyinginformation stored in the memory unit; and a notification unitconfigured to notify the information device of the result of theconfirmation of the information device in the taken image by theconfirmation unit, through a communication different from thecontactless communication, and the information device executestransmitting processing on the stored data through the contactlesscommunication based on the result of the confirmation of the informationdevice received from the wearable information device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an electronic paymentsystem according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wrist information device(information device);

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a smartphone (mobile device);

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure under which a usermakes an electronic payment with a payment terminal, using a wristinformation device (information device) and a smartphone (mobile device)according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure under which a usermakes an electronic payment with a payment terminal, using a wristinformation device (information device) and a smartphone (mobile device)according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of anelectronic payment system in a modified example of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a skimming preventionsystem according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a head-mounted display (wearableinformation device);

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure under which a usermakes an electronic payment with a payment terminal, using a wristinformation device (information device) and a head-mounted display(wearable information device) according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 10A is an explanation diagram illustrating a state in which anelectronic payment according to the third embodiment is implemented; and

FIG. 10B is an explanation diagram illustrating an example of an imagetaken by a head-mounted display (wearable information device).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments for implementing the present invention will be hereinafterdescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Electronic Payment]

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an electronic paymentsystem according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Thesystem according to the first embodiment is formed of a wristinformation device 1 and a smartphone 2 capable of data exchange betweeneach other via Bluetooth (registered trademark), and a payment terminal3 that makes payment of data of an electronic purse held by anelectronic purse function of the smartphone 2.

The wrist information device 1 has a shape of a watch so that a user canwear the wrist information device 1 on a wrist, and includes a watchcase 101, a display section 102 on the watch case 101 functioning as atouch panel, and a wrist band 103 attached to each side of the watchcase 101.

The wrist information device 1 is capable of data exchange with thesmartphone 2 via Bluetooth, and performs data communication with thepayment terminal 3 by contactless communication using the NFCtechnology. The details thereof will be described later.

As is well known, the smartphone 2 includes a vertically-long devicebody 201 and a display section 202 on the device body 201 functioning asa touch panel, and is connectable to the Internet by wirelesscommunication.

Further, the smartphone 2 exchanges data with the wrist informationdevice 1 via Bluetooth and can exchange data with the payment terminal 3by contactless communication using the NFC technology. The detailsthereof will be described later.

The payment terminal 3, which is an automatic traffic ticket gate, forexample, makes payment of a fare, etc. by contactless communicationusing the NFC technology with the wrist information device 1 or thesmartphone 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a circuit configurationof the wrist information device 1. Reference number 111 denotes a watchsection, which counts the current time. Reference number 102 denotes thedisplay section, which is formed of a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)and a driving circuit for driving the color LCD, for example. Referencenumber 112 denotes a display control section, which controls a displaystate of the display section 102. Reference number 113 denotes an inputsection, which is formed of various types of switches not shown inFIG. 1. The input section 113 further includes a touch sensor over asurface of the color LCD of the display section 102, and a drivingcircuit for driving the touch sensor, the touch sensor allowing thedisplay section 102 to function as a touch panel.

Reference number 114 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), whichcontrols the entire functions of the wrist information device 1.Reference number 115 denotes a program memory, in which a controlprogram 1151, an application program 1152, and a pairing program 1153are stored in advance.

The control program 1151 is a basic control program for allowing the CPU114 to control the entire functions of the wrist information device 1.The application program 1152 is formed of application programs forallowing the CPU 114 to carry out various types of processing includingprocessing described later. The pairing program 1153 is a program forperforming pairing (setting of connection) with the smartphone 2, forexample.

Reference number 116 denotes a built-in memory such as a flash memory,which stores various types of settings information used for determiningthe operational contents of the wrist information device 1, and data ofan electronic purse acquired from the smartphone 2 via Bluetooth, forexample.

Reference number 117 denotes a wireless I/F section, which executesreceiving and transmitting with respect to the smartphone 2 viaBluetooth. Reference number 118 denotes an NFC I/F section including aloop antenna and a receiving/transmitting circuit, which performs datacommunication for the electronic purse by contactless communicationusing the NFC technology with the payment terminal 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a circuit configurationof the smartphone 2. Reference number 202 denotes the display section,which is formed of a color LCD and a driving circuit for driving thecolor LCD, for example. Reference number 212 denotes a display controlsection, which controls a display state of the display section 202.Reference number 213 denotes an input section, which is formed ofvarious types of keys including a power source key not shown in FIG. 1.The input section 213 further includes a touch sensor over a surface ofthe color LCD of the display section 202 and a driving circuit fordriving the touch sensor, the touch sensor allowing the display section202 to function as a touch panel.

Reference number 214 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire functionsof the smartphone 2. Reference number 215 denotes a program memory, inwhich a control program 2151, an application program 2152, and a pairingprogram 2153 are stored in advance.

The control program 2151 is a basic control program for allowing the CPU214 to control the entire functions of the smartphone 2. The applicationprogram 2152 is formed of application programs for allowing the CPU 214to carry out various types of processing including processing describedlater. The pairing program 2153 is a program for performing pairing(setting of connection) with the wrist information device 1, forexample.

Reference number 216 denotes a built-in memory such as a flash memory,which stores various types of settings information used for determiningthe operational contents of the smartphone 2, and data of an electronicpurse of an electronic purse function, for example.

Reference number 217 denotes a wireless I/F section, which executesreceiving and transmitting with respect to the wrist information device1 via Bluetooth. Reference number 219 denotes a communication I/Fsection for connecting the smartphone 2 to the Internet using a publicnetwork such as a wireless LAN.

Reference number 218 denotes an NFC I/F section including a loop antennaand a receiving/transmitting circuit, which can perform direct datacommunication for the electronic purse by contactless communicationusing the NFC technology with the payment terminal 3.

The smartphone 2 includes well-known circuits for performing soundcommunication and data communication, which are a sound input circuitthat modulates and transmits an input sound, a transmitting circuit, areceiving circuit that receives a received sound signal, a regeneratingcircuit, a data transmitting/receiving circuit, and the like. Theillustration and descriptions of those circuits will be omitted.

Next, the wrist information device 1, the smartphone 2, and the paymentterminal 3 thus formed will be described with reference to FIG. 4 interms of their operations relevant to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure under which a usermakes an electronic payment with the payment terminal 3, using the wristinformation device 1 and the smartphone 2. The wrist information device1 is operated by execution of the control program 1151 and apredetermined application program 1152 by the CPU 114, and thesmartphone 2 is operated by execution of the control program 2151 and apredetermined application program 2152 by the CPU 214.

The user carries out a predetermined operation on the wrist informationdevice 1 and the smartphone 2 (SA1) and performs pairing for Bluetooth(SA2 and SA3). It is to be noted that other wireless or wirecommunications are applicable although the embodiment uses Bluetooth.The pairing is carried out by execution of the respective pairingprograms 1153 and 2153 of the wrist information device 1 and thesmartphone 2.

Further, the user performs an operation using the input section 213 ofthe smartphone 2 when putting the smartphone 2 into the user's bag, sothat payment can be made with the wrist information device 1 using dataof the electronic purse charged in the electronic purse function of thesmartphone 2 (SA4). With the operation, the data of the electronic purseof the electronic purse function of the smartphone 2 is transmitted tothe wrist information device 1 through a communication via Bluetooth(SA6), with the contactless communication function using the NFCtechnology of the smartphone 2 locked (SA5). During the contactlesscommunication function is locked, direct payment by the contactlesscommunication using the NFG technology of the smartphone 2 is notauthorized.

The wrist information device 1 receives the data of the electronic pursefrom the smartphone 2 and returns ACK to the smartphone 2 (SA7). Thesmartphone 2 receives the ACK, notifies the wrist information device 1of authorization for starting payment processing using the data of theelectronic purse (SA8), and displays, to the user, in the displaysection 202, a notification stating that the preparation for paymentprocessing with the wrist information device 1 has been completed (SA9).

Thereafter, the user uses the data of the electronic purse transferredto the wrist information device 1, in making payment. Specifically, inmaking payment, the user brings the information device 1 into contactwith the payment terminal 3 so that a fare, for example, can be paidthrough a contactless communication using the NFC technology between thewrits information device 1 and the payment terminal 3.

When the wrist information device 1 is brought into contact with thepayment terminal 3 (SA10), the payment terminal 3 issues to the wristinformation device 1 a request to perform payment processing for anamount according to a section traveled, for example (SA11), and thewrist information device 1 performs the payment processing by reducingthe amount from the data of the electronic purse (SA12) and thennotifies the payment terminal 3 of completion of the payment processing(SA13). In addition, it is reasonably possible to increase a chargedamount by a charge operation as well.

On the other hand, if the user wants to apply the contactlesscommunication function using the NFC technology of the smartphone 2, theuser operates the smartphone 2 at the input section 213 so that paymentcan be made with the contactless communication function using the NFCtechnology of the smartphone 2 (SA14). With the operation, thesmartphone 2 requests the wrist information device 1 to return the dataof the electronic purse to the smartphone 2 (SA15). In response to therequest, the wrist information device 1 locks the contactlesscommunication function using the NFC technology of the wrist informationdevice 1 so that the wrist information device 1 cannot be used forperforming payment processing using the data of the electronic purse(SA16), and transmits the data of the electronic purse to the smartphone2 (SA17). The data of the electronic purse to be transmitted is updateddata reflecting amounts having been paid or charged by the wristinformation device 1.

The smartphone 2 receives the data of the electronic purse from thewrist information device 1, and returns ACK to the wrist informationdevice 1 in order to notify the wrist information device 1 of thereceiving (SA18). The wrist information device 1 receives the ACK anddeletes the data of the electronic purse from the wrist informationdevice 1 (SA19) and unlocks the contactless communication function usingthe NFC technology of the wrist information device 1 (SA20).Subsequently, the wrist information device 1 notifies the smartphone 2of the deletion of the data of the electronic purse from the wristinformation device 1 (SA21).

Upon receipt of the notification, the smartphone 2 unlocks thecontactless communication function using the NFC technology (SA22), anddisplays, to the user, in the display section 202, a notificationstating that the preparation for direct payment processing with thesmartphone 2 through the contactless communication using the NFCtechnology has been completed (SA23).

The procedure set forth above enables the user to make payment via thepayment terminal 3 with the wrist information device 1, using the moneycharged in the electronic purse function of the smartphone 2.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment achieves the payment processing that can be donewith the wrist information device 1 by transmitting to the wristinformation device 1 the data of the electronic purse held by theelectronic purse function of the smartphone 2. In contrast, the secondembodiment achieves payment processing that can be done by contactlesscommunication using the NFC technology by the wrist information device1, without the need of transmitting to the wrist information device 1the data of the electronic purse of the smartphone 2.

The method according to the second embodiment makes it possible toperform payment processing using the data of the electronic purse heldby the electronic purse function of the smartphone 2 in both cases wherea contactless communication using the NFC technology installed in thesmartphone 2 is employed for the payment processing and a contactlesscommunication using the NFC technology installed in the wristinformation device 1 is employed for the payment processing.

As in the first embodiment, the electronic payment system according tothe second embodiment is formed of the wrist information device 1 andthe smartphone 2 capable of data exchange between each other viaBluetooth shown in FIG. 1, and the payment terminal 3 that makes paymentof data of the electronic purse held by the electronic purse function ofthe smartphone 2. The operations relevant to the payment processingaccording to the second embodiment will be described below withreference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure according to thesecond embodiment under which a user makes payment with the paymentterminal 3, using the wrist information device 1 and the smartphone 2.The wrist information device 1 is operated by execution of the controlprogram 1151 and a predetermined application program 1152 by the CPU114, and the smartphone 2 is operated by execution of the controlprogram 2151 and a predetermined application program 2152 by the CPU214.

As in the first embodiment, a user carries out a predetermined operationon the wrist information device 1 and the smartphone 2 (SB1) andperforms pairing for Bluetooth (SB2 and SB3). It is to be noted thatother wireless or wire communications are applicable although theembodiment uses Bluetooth. The pairing is carried out by execution ofthe respective pairing programs 1153 and 2153 of the wrist informationdevice 1 and the smartphone 2.

Further, the user performs an operation using the input section 213 ofthe smartphone 2 so that payment can be made in both cases where acontactless communication using the NFC technology installed in thesmartphone 2 is employed for the payment processing and a contactlesscommunication using the NFC technology installed in the wristinformation device 1 is employed for the payment processing (SB4). Withthe operation, the smartphone 2 issues a relay instruction to the wristinformation device 1 through communication via Bluetooth, the relayinstruction demanding relaying, at the wrist information device 1, thedata of the electronic purse to be transmitted from the smartphone 2 tothe wrist information device 1 by communication via Bluetooth, and thenperforming payment processing with the payment terminal 3 through acontactless communication using the NFC technology installed in thewrist information device 1 (SB5).

The wrist information device 1 receives the relay instruction from thesmartphone 2 and returns ACK to the smartphone 2 (SB6). The smartphone 2receives the ACK and displays in the display section 202 a notificationstating that the preparation for the payment processing according tosecond embodiment has been completed (SB7).

A case will be described next where a user makes payment as usualthrough a contactless communication using the NFC technology installedin the smartphone 2 in the above state. This case is the same as theusual payment processing through a contactless communication using theNFC technology installed in the smartphone 2. Specifically, paymentprocessing is performed through a contactless communication using theNFC technology in the smartphone 2, in a manner such that the smartphone2 is brought into contact with the payment terminal 3.

When the smartphone 2 is brought into contact with the payment terminal3 by the user (SB8), the payment terminal 3 issues to the smartphone 2 arequest to perform payment processing for an amount according to asection traveled, for example (SB9). The smartphone 2 performs paymentprocessing by reducing the amount from the data of the electronic purseof the electronic purse function (SB 10) and sends a notification ofpayment processing completion to the payment terminal 3 (SB11).

On the other hand, the following is the processing to be carried out ifthe user intends to perform payment processing using the data of theelectronic purse of the electronic purse function of the smartphone 2via a contactless communication using the NFC technology in the wristinformation device 1.

First, when the user touches the payment terminal 3 with the wristinformation device 1 (SB12), the payment terminal 3 issues to the wristinformation device 1 a request to perform payment processing for anamount according to a section traveled, for example (SB13). The wristinformation device 1 transfers the received request directly to thesmartphone 2 through communication via Bluetooth (SB14). The smartphone2 receives the transferred request and reduces the amount from the dataof the electronic purse of its electronic purse function in the paymentprocessing (SB15). When the payment processing is completed, thesmartphone 2 sends a notification of the payment processing completionto the wrist information device 1 through communication via Bluetooth(SB16). The wrist information device 1 directly transfers thenotification of the payment processing completion to the paymentterminal 3 through a contactless communication using the NFC technologyinstalled in the wrist information device 1 (SB17). In this way, aseries of processing is ended.

In the meanwhile, although in second embodiment, an example has beendescribed in which a user can employ at one time contactlesscommunications using the NFC technology installed in both the smartphone2 and the wrist information device 1, the contactless communication maybe configured so as to use the NFC technology installed in one of thesmartphone 2 and the wrist information device 1 at one time.

(Modified Example of Second Embodiment)

According to the mechanism of the second embodiment, it is possible toperform payment processing using the data of the electronic purse of theelectronic purse function of a single smartphone when there are morethan one wrist information device, as shown in FIG. 6. In the case of amarried couple, for example, if a wife and a husband have wristinformation devices 1A and 1B, respectively, payment processing ispossible with the wrist information devices 1A and 1B of the couple,using the data of the electronic purse of the electronic purse functionof the husband's smartphone 2.

As described above, the first and second embodiments relate to methodsfor money payment processing. The methods allow us as well to go thoughan entrance gate of an amusement park by touching the entrance gate witha wrist information device, for example, using information of anelectronic admission ticket purchased by a smartphone.

[Prevention of Skimming]

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a skimming preventionsystem according to a third embodiment. The system according to thethird embodiment is formed of the wrist information device 1 and ahead-mounted display (HMD) 4 capable of data exchange between each othervia Bluetooth, and the payment terminal 3 that makes payment of datawith the wrist information device 1.

Although the wrist information device 1 has the same configuration asthat in the first embodiment, the application program 1152 in the thirdembodiment includes terminal identifying information to be used when thewrist information device 1 is recognized by a publicly-known imagerecognition technique in an image of the wrist information device 1taken by the head-mounted device 4. The examples of the terminalidentifying information include feature data indicating the color,shape, and the like. of the wrist information device 1.

In addition, the pairing program 1153 includes a program for performingpairing (setting of connection) for Bluetooth with the head-mounteddevice 4, for example, and the built-in memory 116 stores an ID numberunique to the wrist information device 1 for use in an electronicpayment.

Further, the wireless I/F section 117 conducts data communication viaBluetooth with the head-mounted device 4.

The payment terminal 3 has the same configuration as that in the firstembodiment and the descriptions thereof will be thus omitted.

The head-mounted display (hereinafter referred to as HMD) 4 is awearable information device that a user can wear on the head, forexample, and displays a virtual image within the field of view of theuser without blocking the field of view.

Moreover, the HMD 4 is formed of a main body 400 in the shape ofglasses, and a display section 402 at one side of the main body 400provided to locate within the vision of the right eye of a user fordisplaying the image within the field of view of the user. Further, thedisplay section 402 is provided with a camera section 411 for taking animage of an object in the direction of line of vision of the user.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a circuit configurationof the HMD 4.

The display section 402 is formed of a light source such as an LED, atransmissive liquid crystal display element that displays an image basedon image data, and a driving circuit for the display element. Althoughnot shown in the drawings, in the display section 402, an optical systemis included that has a projector lens for adjusting the size of an imagedisplayed in the liquid crystal display element, and a light guide platecontaining a half mirror layer. Further, a light emitted from the lightsource is converted into a projection light by the liquid crystaldisplay element and is projected on the half mirror layer within thelight guide plate through the projector lens, so that the displaysection 402 displays a picture as a virtual image in the vision of auser without blocking the vision of the user in the region of the righteye.

The camera section 411 includes an image taking element such as a CMOS(complementary metal oxide semiconductor) type or a CCD (charge coupleddevice), and a signal processing circuit that generates taken-image databased on an image taking signal obtained by the image taking element,for example.

The display control section 412 controls the displays of pictures by thedisplay section 402. The input section 413 includes different types ofswitches not shown in FIG. 7.

The CPU 414 controls the entire functions of the HMD 4. The programmemory 415 stores a control program 4151, an application program 4152,and a pairing program 4153 in advance.

The control program 4151 is a basic control program for allowing the CPU414 to control the entire functions of the HMD 4. The applicationprogram 4152 is formed of application programs for allowing the CPU 414to carry out various types of processing including processing describedlater. The pairing program 4153 is a program for performing pairing(setting of connection) for Bluetooth with the wrist information device1, for example.

A built-in memory 416 is a flash memory, for example, which storesvarious types of settings information used for determining theoperational contents of the HMD 4, taken-image data of an objectcaptured by the camera section 411, and registration information on atleast one wrist information device 1 and other different types ofinformation devices previously registered by the pairing.

The information of the registration information, which relates to the atleast one wrist information device 1, includes the terminal identifyinginformation used for identifying a registered wrist information device 1in an image taken of the registered wrist information device 1, theterminal identifying information being stored in the built-in memory 416so as to correspond to ID data for individual identification of theregistered wrist information device 1.

A wireless I/F section 417 executes data communication with the wristinformation device 1, for example, via Bluetooth.

Next, the wrist information device 1 and the HMD 4 thus formed will bedescribed in terms of their operations relevant to the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the contents of operationsperformed by the wrist information device 1 and the HMD 4 when a useruses the skimming prevention system according to the third embodiment.More specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates the contents of operationsperformed in a manner such that the CPU 114 executes the programs storedin the program memory 115 in the wrist information device 1 and the CPU414 executes the programs stored in the program memory 415 in the HMD 4.

First, a user performs a predetermined setting operation (SC1) on thewrist information device 1 and the HMD 4 in using the skimmingprevention system according to the third embodiment.

With the operation SC1, Bluetooth linking processing (publicly-knownpairing processing) is performed between the wrist information device 1and the HMD 4 (SC2 and SC3) so that data communication is enabledbetween the wrist information device 1 and the HMD 4.

Subsequently, the HMD 4 requests the terminal identifying informationfor the terminal from the wrist information device 1 (SC4). In responseto the request, the wrist information device 1 sends the terminalidentifying information to the HMD 4 (SC5). The HMD 4 receives theterminal identifying information, and then stores the information in thebuilt-in memory 416 so that the information corresponds to the ID dataof the wrist information device 1 obtained by the pairing processing(SC6). In this way, measures have been taken against skimming.

Thereafter, when the user touches the payment terminal 3 with the wristinformation device 1 as shown in FIG. 10A (or passes the wristinformation device 1 over the payment terminal 3) (SC7), the paymentterminal 3 issues an NFC communication request to the wrist informationdevice 1 (SC8).

The wrist information device 1 receives the NFC communication requestand issues an NFC communication permission request to the HMD 4 (SC9).In other words, the wrist information device 1 sends an inquiry to theHMD 4 about the permission for execution of the NFC communication.

After receiving the inquiry, the HMD 4 recognizes the information device1 by taking an image of an object in the direction of line of vision ofthe user with the camera section 411 and performing recognitionprocessing on the image using the terminal identifying informationhaving been acquired from the wrist information device 1 and stored inthe HMD 4 in advance (SC10). In other words, the HMD 4 determineswhether or not the taken image shows the object, which is the wristinformation device 1 having issued the NFC communication permissionrequest.

In the meanwhile, the image-taking for the object may be routinelyconducted while the skimming prevention system is being used.

The HMD 4 repeats the above processing within a period of time set inadvance. More specifically, if the wrist information device 1 cannot berecognized in the beginning of the processing or after the beginning ofthe processing, the image-taking is repeatedly conducted at fixedintervals within the predetermined period of time, with the recognitionprocessing sequentially performed on the taken images.

Further, if the HMD 4 can obtain a taken image G as shown in FIG. 10Bbefore the elapse of the predetermined period of time and the wristinformation device 1 can be recognized in the taken image G, the HMD 4issues an NFC communication permission to the wrist information device 1(SC11). In other words, the wrist information device 1 receivespermission for NFC communication from the HMD 4.

If the wrist information device 1 receives the NFC communicationpermission, it performs NFC communication responding to a request fromthe payment terminal 3, which is transmitting of an ID number unique tothe wrist information device 1, balance data, etc. (SC12). In this way,various types of electronic payments are made.

On the other hand, if the HMD 4 cannot recognize in the taken images thewrist information device 1 having issued the NFC communicationpermission request within the predetermined period of time, the HMD 4sends an NFC communication rejection to the wrist information device 1(SC13). In other words, the HMD 4 determines that there is a possibilityof skimming performed and makes a reply to the wrist information device1 to the effect that the NFC communication must not be made.

If the wrist information device 1 receives the NFC communicationrejection, it makes no reply to a request from the payment terminal 3and discontinues the subsequent NFC communication with the paymentterminal 3. Thus, the payment terminal 3 cannot receive a reply from thewrist information device 1 within the predetermined period of time, andperforms timeout error processing for the NFC communication to end theNFC communication.

As described above, in the skimming prevention system according to thethird embodiment, if no image has been taken by the HMD 4 of the wristinformation device 1 when the NFC communication permission request isreceived from the wrist information device 1 or within the predeterminedperiod of time, the subsequent NFC communication between the wristinformation device 1 and the payment terminal 3 is automaticallydiscontinued.

If the user intends to voluntarily touch the payment terminal 3 with thewrist information device 1, the user is usually looking at the wristinformation device 1. An image of the wrist information device 1 istaken by the HMD 4 when the user is looking at the wrist informationdevice 1 or within the predetermined period of time.

In contrast, if the payment terminal 3 becomes in contact with the wristinformation device 1 before the user knows it, that is, if skimming isattempted on the wrist information device 1, no images has been taken ofthe wrist information device 1 by the HMD 4 within the predeterminedperiod of time because the user has not been looking at the wristinformation device 1. In that case, the wrist information device 1discontinues the subsequent NFC communication with the payment terminal3 so that the skimming can be prevented without fail.

In this way, when a user uses the electronic purse function of the wristinformation device 1, the user can make an electronic payment only byturning the user's face toward the wrist information device 1, which canprevent skimming without fail.

For the advantages set forth above, the skimming prevention systemaccording to the third embodiment enables the wrist information deviceto attain high security performances without reducing the convenience.

In the third embodiment, the terminal identifying information used whenthe HMD 4 recognizes the registered wrist information device 1 in ataken image is the information prepared in advance in the wristinformation device 1. The terminal identifying information may beinformation obtained as needed by taking an image of the wristinformation device 1 at registration thereof and analyzing the takenimage.

Further, in the third embodiment, the registered wrist informationdevice 1 itself is recognized in a taken image. In other words, thepresence or absence of the wrist information device 1 in a taken imageis determined by a so-called object recognition. The methods forrecognizing the wrist information device applicable to the presentinvention are not limited to the above method.

For example, the presence or absence of the wrist information device 1in a taken image may be determined by equipping the wrist informationdevice 1 with a LED and using a visible light communication.Alternatively, the presence or absence of the wrist information device 1in a taken image may be determined by allowing the display section 102of the wrist information device 1 to display a predeterminedidentification image (two-dimensional bar code, for example) when thepayment terminal 3 transmits a NFC communication request, for example,and recognizing the identification image. The identification image maybe an image prepared in advance in the wrist information device 1 or animage that the HMD 4 automatically allocated to the wrist informationdevice 1 at registration thereof and supplied to the wrist informationdevice 1.

Moreover, in addition to the configurations described in the thirdembodiment, a configuration may be employed in which the HMD 4constantly displays in the field of view of a user the progress ofelectronic payments with the NFC technology with the wrist informationdevice 1, for example. With the configuration, the user can be instantlynotified of attempted skimming to the wrist information device 1, andthis leads to ensuring of higher security performances.

Further, much higher security performances can be ensured by permittingthe NFC communication not only when the HMD 4 can recognize the wristinformation device 1 in a taken image but also when the HMD 4 canrecognize a user's specific gesture determined in advance within theangle of view of the HMD 4 (camera section 411) or when a predeterminedswitching operation is performed in the HMD 4 in parallel with therecognition of the wrist information device 1 in a taken image.

Furthermore, although the third embodiment employs the HMD 4 as thewearable information device of the skimming prevention system, thewearable information device in the present invention is not particularlylimited as long as the wearable information device is configured to beable to take an image of an object in the direction of line of vision ofa user when receiving the NFC communication permission request from thewrist information device 1. In the implementation of the presentinvention, not only the HMD 4 but also any other wearable informationdevices may be adequately used.

Moreover, although the third embodiment employs the wrist informationdevice 1 as the information device of the skimming prevention system,the information device applicable to the present invention is notparticularly limited as long as the information device is configured tobe able to read stored data by contactless communication. The presentinvention is advantageous for preventing skimming to any informationdevices other than the wrist information device 1, such as a ring-shapedwearable information device, and further, not limiting wearableinformation device, a mobile phone and a smartphone with the electronicpurse function.

In addition, although the data as the target of skimming prevention inthe wrist information device 1 in the third embodiment is data for usein an electronic payment, any other types of data may be the target ofskimming prevention as long as the data can be found by contactlesscommunication in accordance with a freely selected standard.

The data which can be found by contactless communication includes vitalinformation and action history data, the vital information beingobtained when the wrist information device 1 has a function of acquiringand storing vital information indicating the physical states of a userand the action history data being obtained when the wrist informationdevice 1 has a function of acquiring and storing action history data(GPS information, for example) indicating the action history of a user.

In the third embodiment, if no image has been taken by the HMD 4 of thewrist information device 1 when the NFC communication permission requestis received from the wrist information device 1 or within thepredetermined period of time, the subsequent NFC communication betweenthe wrist information device 1 and the payment terminal 3 isautomatically discontinued so that skimming prevention is implemented.In addition to the above skimming prevention, the wrist informationdevice 1 may be controlled so that the wrist information device 1 cannotcarry out its functions if the HMD 4 has not taken an image of the wristinformation device 1. For example, the display section 102 of the wristinformation device 1 may be turned off if the HMD 4 has not taken animage of the wrist information device 1.

While certain embodiments and modified examples have been described,various changes may be made within the range in which the advantages ofthe present invention can be ensured. The embodiments after the changesfall within the scope of the invention described in the accompanyingclaims and the equivalent thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wearable information device, comprising:a first communication unit configured to perform communication with apayment terminal by contactless communication; a second communicationunit configured to perform communication with a mobile device bywireless communication which is different from contactlesscommunication; a processor; and a memory storing information about anamount of money, wherein the processor is configured to: receive theinformation about the amount of money from the mobile device through acommunication by the second communication unit and store the receivedinformation about the amount of money in the memory; perform paymentprocessing with the payment terminal through a communication by thefirst communication unit, using the information about the amount ofmoney stored in the memory; transmit the information about the amount ofmoney stored in the memory to the mobile device through a communicationby the second communication unit; and prevent the first communicationunit from performing communication with the payment terminal bycontactless communication to prevent performance of payment processingwith the payment terminal by the wearable information device in case ofhaving transmitted the information about the amount of money stored inthe memory to the mobile device through the communication by the secondcommunication unit.
 2. The wearable information device according toclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: change, in case ofhaving received a payment processing request from the payment terminalthrough a communication by the first communication unit, the informationabout the amount of money in accordance with the request, and store thechanged information about the amount of money in the memory.
 3. Thewearable information device according to claim 2, wherein the processoris configured to: transmit the changed information about the amount ofmoney stored in the memory to the mobile device through thecommunication by the second communication unit.
 4. The wearableinformation device according to claim 1, wherein the first communicationunit performs a communication with the payment terminal by Near FieldCommunication.
 5. The wearable information device according to claim 1,wherein the second communication unit performs a communication with themobile device by Bluetooth.
 6. The wearable information device accordingto claim 1, wherein the memory is non-volatile.
 7. The wearableinformation device according to claim 1, further comprising attachmentsconfigured to allow the wearable information device to be worn on awrist.
 8. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores aprogram that causes a computer of a wearable information device, whichcomprises: a first communication unit configured to performcommunication with a payment terminal by contactless communication; asecond communication unit configured to perform communication with amobile device by wireless communication which is different from thecontactless communication; the computer; and a memory storinginformation about an amount of money, to perform: receiving theinformation about the amount of money from the mobile device through acommunication by the second communication unit and storing the receivedinformation about the amount of money in the memory; performing paymentprocessing with the payment terminal through a communication by thefirst communication unit, using the information about the amount ofmoney stored in the memory; transmitting the information about theamount of money stored in the memory to the mobile device through acommunication by the second communication unit; and preventing the firstcommunication unit from performing communication with the paymentterminal by contactless communication to prevent performance of paymentprocessing with the payment terminal by the wearable information devicein case of having transmitted the information about the amount of moneystored in the memory to the mobile device through the communication bythe second communication unit.
 9. An electronic payment method in anelectronic payment system comprising a wearable information device, amobile device and a payment terminal, wherein the wearable informationdevice comprises: a first communication unit configured to performcommunication with the payment terminal by contactless communication; asecond communication unit configured to perform communication with themobile device by wireless communication which is different from thecontactless communication; a processor; and a memory storing informationabout an amount of money, and wherein the electronic payment methodcomprises causing the processor to perform: receiving the informationabout the amount of money from the mobile device through a communicationby the second communication unit and storing the received informationabout the amount of money in the memory; performing payment processingwith the payment terminal through a communication by the firstcommunication unit, using the information about the amount of moneystored in the memory; transmitting the information about the amount ofmoney stored in the memory to the mobile device through a communicationby the second communication unit; and preventing the first communicationunit from performing communication with the payment terminal bycontactless communication to prevent performance of payment processingwith the payment terminal by the wearable information device in case ofhaving transmitted the information about the amount of money stored inthe memory to the mobile device through the communication by the secondcommunication unit.